Fire Department

The Madison Fire Department responded to the 5700 block of Odana Road for the odor of natural gas. Ladder 2 arrived on scene and noted the facility was evacuated and was met immediately by staff outside. The crew was told that several employees on the second floor were smelling natural gas in their offices and at the front door of the building.

MFD proceeded in to the building with full protective gear and a multi-gas monitor. Ladder 2 swept the entire building, including the utility rooms and kitchen areas trying to detect any carbon monoxide or natural gas. During the investigation MFD was accompanied by MGE on scene for assistance. MGE determined that the flames from the furnace were not burning correctly and there was a high percentage of unburned natural gas venting to the outside. The vent locations were positioned on the exterior near the windows of the offices which were open. MGE "Red Tagged" the furnace until repairs could be made.

Safety Tip Reminder:

Colder temperatures have most of us looking for ways to stay warm. But heating equipment is one of the leading causes of home fire fatalities. Space heaters in particular, whether portable or stationary, account for approximately one-third of home heating fires and three-fourths of home heating fire deaths.

The leading factor contributing to home heating fires was failure to clean, principally creosote from solid-fueled heating equipment, primarily chimneys.

Follow these tips for staying safe and warm throughout the colder months:
• Keep anything that can burn (including pets and people) at least three feet away from heating equipment, like the furnace, fireplace, wood stove, or portable space heater.
• Have a three-foot “kid-free zone” around open fires and space heaters.
• Never use your oven to heat your home.
• Have a qualified professional install stationary space heating equipment, water heaters or central heating equipment according to the local codes and manufacturer’s instructions.
• Have heating equipment and chimneys cleaned and inspected every year by a qualified professional.
• Remember to turn portable heaters off when leaving the room or going to bed.
• Always use the right kind of fuel, specified by the manufacturer, for fuel burning space heaters.
• Make sure the fireplace has a sturdy screen to stop sparks from flying into the room. Ashes should be cool before putting them in a metal container. Keep the container a safe distance away from your home.
• Test smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms monthly.